RALEIGH, N.C. -- A North Carolina trooper is trying to get his job back after he says he was fired for killing a neighborhood cat.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reported Saturday that 39-year-old Shawn Houston of Granite Falls was charged in October with cruelty to animals and injury to real property. He was fired in January and appealed earlier this month saying he was treated unfairly.

Houston said in a court filing that he had noticed something climbing on vehicles parked at his home and was concerned about the safety of his three young sons. He baited a trap and caught a small domestic cat. In court documents, Houston said he shot the animal when it scratched him.

The 5-month-old kitten named Rowdy belonged to Houston's neighbor who pressed charges.